"I've been waiting, because it's always this time of year," said Doug Mueller of Bedford. "I've been waiting and finally she came back."

Mueller spotted three black bears on his lawn last week. The bears were eating from his bird feeders.

"Mama's big, probably in the 250-300 pound range," Mueller said of the size of one of the bears.

Mueller and his neighbors in Bedford are still talking about the rare sighting.

"When I went out to leave that morning, I was like, 'Oh, my God! I hope they're gone,'" said Jennifer Robinson, who lives next door to Mueller. "It's a little scary."

Bear sightings are somewhat common in New Hampshire. State Fish and Game officials estimate there may be as many as 5,000 black bears statewide. The mild winter had bears out of hibernation early. Officials warn they are hungry and in search of food. They recommend bringing birdfeeders and trashcans inside.

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